Category: Travel tips

Beach day in Antofagasta

When we think of a day at the beach, it is because we know that the sea breeze helps us a lot to improve our breathing, and we cannot deny that one of the most enjoyable parts of visiting the beach is to arrive and breathe deeply because we know you love it. The region of Antofagasta has an endless number of unmissable destinations to include in your trip. Antofagasta has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor activities such as scuba diving, sandboarding, sea kayaking, kite surfing, astrophotography and ecotourism.

Escondida Beach

Hidden among hills and dunes we find “Playa Escondida”, a paradise of turquoise waters and white sand. A place that has gradually and almost secretly captivated the attention of tourists and locals.

It is not easy to reach this place. Located 34 km south of Antofagasta, the trip from the Holiday Inn Express Antofagasta hotel is approximately 50 minutes by car. The road conditions vary and it only goes as far as Corazones beach, from where you have to walk 20 minutes to the north (don’t worry about the walk, the scenery is worth it).

The difficult access gives it the secret and discreet character that for those looking for a different experience and isolated from the hustle and bustle this beach is simply a must. Among the marine fauna that can be observed on the beach you will find manta rays (occasionally and early in the morning) chungungos, pilpilenes, liles, gulls and guanayes.

Paraíso Beach

Located just 8 minutes by car from Holiday Inn Express Antofagasta, this artificial beach is an unmissable destination if you are on vacation in Antofagasta. Suarena Blanca invites all visitors to take incredible sunbaths, as well as access to a variety of restaurants for all tastes and budgets. If you are someone who wants to walk in the afternoon/evening, this beach has excellent lighting and excellent waves for a romantic date or a walk with the family. Just a few steps from the central area of the city of Antofagasta, in the vicinity of the historic district and in front of the Consistorial Building of the Municipality of Antofagasta.

Freak fact: If you are one of those who like to walk at sunset you can not miss the old pier of Miraflores, the historic pier and the old building of the Customs (now Regional Museum) neoclassical style, was built in Valparaiso in 1867 and moved by parts to Mejillones.

Trocadero Beach

Located in the northern part of the city, Trocadero Beach is a beach especially suitable for swimming. Designed and built as part of the coastal improvement plan, this beach has pedestrian walkways, street furniture and bike paths. If sport and fishing are your thing, this beach is highly recommended.

Hornitos Beach

Hornitos has year-round access. With warm waters and fine sand, it is currently one of the best beaches and destinations in the region and probably in all of Chile. The tranquility of its waters make it suitable for swimming, water sports and family shore fishing. Surrounded by incredible cliffs of different shades with petrified demolished remains, this destination is ideal for beach walks, enjoying the gentle breeze and the large number of coastal birds that inhabit the place.

Located 90 kms north of Antofagasta, what seems far away, is a worthwhile journey and you won’t need to go twice to fall in love with the destination. On the way to Hornitos beach from Antofagasta you can visit the Antofagasta gateway.

TIP: After passing through the towns of Chacayá and Itata you will find shy signs indicating the access to the beach, so carrying your Wazeprendido can be of great help.

Coloso Beach

This coastal sector is characterized by a great variety of gastronomy with sea products, with stunning views of the sea with a relaxed atmosphere and away from the noise of the city with great diversity of wildlife and good place to dive.

The cove of artisanal fishermen makes it a gastronomic destinationimperdible and the coastal road invites you to visit beaches of all kinds, highlights the Llacolén beach with its positas (ideal for children) or the beach sole with its white sands hidden among the rocks. If you dare to visit a typical cove in the north of Chile you can not miss the Coloso cove. Climbing to the viewpoint is a highly recommended hike for the views it offers of the place.

Visit all the beaches of Antofagasta and then enjoy the best rest in Holiday Inn Express Antofagasta, with nice beds, breakfast included and the best service.

Enter here and know all the promotions we have for you to enjoy as a couple or with your family.

Historic Florida Street

The Historic Florida Street

Florida Street is one of the most famous and visited streets in the Province of Buenos Aires. This street has a lot of history behind it, besides being the first pedestrian street in the country, it starts at Rivadavia Avenue and ends at Plaza San Martin. In Florida Street you can find stores with the most recognized brands, as well as clothing, handicrafts, books, shoes, and much more. You can also enjoy the beautiful street shows of singers, guitarists, folklore bands and tango dancers.

Galleries to enjoy in Florida Street

Güemes Gallery
Known as one of the architectural heritage of the city of Buenos Aires, this incredible building pays homage to one of the greatest heroes of the province of Salta: General Martin Miguel de Güemes. This incredible construction pays homage to one of the greatest heroes of the province of Salta: General Martin Miguel de Güemes, inside the gallery there are different offices and shops of different brands, but what stands out the most is the viewpoint where you can appreciate the progress of the city.

Pacifico Gallery
A National Historic Monument, the Galeria Pacifico Shopping Mall is one of the buildings with the most history of art and fashion in Argentina, where you can find the shopping gallery and the railroad offices. It has a bureau de change, a polishing salon, guided tours and different tourism sectors.

Where to stay near Florida Street?
Besides being a place to go shopping and visit a little of the history of Buenos Aires, it is also a very comfortable place to find accommodation as we can find hotels from 3 * and 4 * in the area that are highly recommended, besides having a great service, one of them is the successful franchise that was established with its hotels in Buenos Aires, Holiday Inn Express located in the heart of the city are headquartered in the neighborhood of Puerto Madero a historic area of the city.

Enjoy the comforts of one of the best hotels in South America, we are located in:
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Iquique, Chile.
Las Condes, Santiago de Chile.
Antofagasta, Chile.
Temuco, Chile.
Concepción, Chile.
Puerto Montt, Chile.
Aeropuerto Santiago de Chile.

5 Not to be missed for a family vacation in Iquique

The beautiful city located in the foothills of the driest desert in the world is also one of the most requested sectors by Chilean families to enjoy their vacations.
Iquique has something for all tastes and budgets. That is why, below, we show you some of the must-see places in this jewel of northern Chile:

1. Humberstone and Santa Laura
The city of Iquique is truly a paradise full of history. Previously, it was not such a paradisiacal place, especially for those who made a living in the saltpeter offices. Although there was money to be made from the boom in this resource, the workers toiled from sunrise to sunset in the city built by the administrators of Humberstone. A ghost town abandoned in the early decades of the twentieth century, converted into an open-air museum worth visiting. The best part: it is very cheap -about $3,000 per person- and it is on the outskirts of the city.

2. War of the Pacífico
The War of the Pacific has its heart in the Iquique Naval Combat, an event that you can relive based on objects and stories of the time. For young and old, visiting the Esmeralda Museum recreating the last moments of the corvette is a treasure for Chile. Upon entering the Costanera, you will find this really exciting scale replica and, for more adventure, there is the option of visiting the buoy where this historic ship sank.

3. Baquedano Promenade
Day or night, a warm breeze that invites you to rest makes downtown Iquique a colorful and historic walk, with the joy of pubs and restaurants, along with the unique architecture of the place, the streetcars of memory and its spectacular balconies. In its surroundings, the fantastic Theater, the Arturo Prat Square, the Croatian Club, and many other monuments.

4. Cavancha Beach
We can’t leave out its beach and warm waters. If you want a relaxing day with your family, the beach and palm trees are ideal, because there are several activities surrounding the beach: mini-zoos, bike paths, monuments and terraces. Also, remember that this is one of the world capitals of surfing.
The main hotels in Iquique are located around this beach, evidence of its importance for local tourism.

5. Views and Farellón Costero
The drive down is formidable, and the contrast between the desert and the sea, exciting. But even more so if you have an adventurous spirit: skydiving from the Farellón is one of the latest novelties in adventure sports. Spectacular!

As you can see, the offer of panoramas in Iquique is extremely varied: from history lovers to inveterate adventurers; from those who enjoy nature to those who enjoy architecture, everyone can enjoy to the fullest. A luxury vacation that you must ensure by booking in advance your stay in one of the hotels in Iquique.

Adicionalmente, te invitamos a disfrutar las comodidades de uno de los mejores hoteles de Sudamerica, estamos ubicados en:
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Iquique, Chile.
Las Condes, Santiago de Chile.
Antofagasta, Chile.
Temuco, Chile.
Concepción, Chile.
Puerto Montt, Chile.
Aeropuerto Santiago de Chile.

6 essencial things for your next business trip

When it comes to traveling regularly for professional reasons, some small details can enhance the experience. Business travelers require certain specific services, different from what vacationers need. Finding an accommodation fully adapted to their needs is the key to ensure a comfortable and productive trip.
So, what are the things that should be included in your next business trip? Here are a few must-haves:

1. Free and unlimited WiFi
The availability of Internet connection in your room is one of the first considerations. Be sure to check into a hotel that offers free WiFi throughout the property. Read online reviews from other guests to see if the connection works regularly and if it is fast enough to work and make business calls.

2. An interesting neighborhood
Knowing the area where you are staying is important to organize your day’s activities. On the Internet you can search for information about the best restaurants in the area and identify the nearest streets for shopping. Knowing the neighborhood will also help you choose the best way to move between the hotel and meeting points with eventual clients.

3. Breakfast buffet
Having a good breakfast at the hotel will help you save time in the morning. Business hotels offer a buffet breakfast to their guests, with options for all tastes and healthy proposals. Each accommodation starts and finishes serving breakfast at different times, so you should find out how it works in your hotel.

4. Meeting rooms
If you will have to meet with clients or meet with other people for professional reasons, it is important to have a well-equipped space within the hotel to do so. Some business hotels have fully equipped meeting rooms, including equipment such as printers, long distance telephony and similar services.
Therefore, when you check in, find out if it is necessary to make reservations in advance to use these spaces.

5. In-room amenities
Like any business traveler, you need a comfortable desk in your room with easy access to power outlets for charging your electronic devices. Items for preparing small meals – such as a coffee maker or microwave oven – can be very useful if you plan to work from your room. Finally, a few extra items – such as a clothes iron or hair dryer – are important to prepare for each meeting.

6. Gym
If you’re spending several days in another city, having access to a gym is a plus. Exercising will help you not only to stay in shape, but also to relax after a long day of work.

A business traveler needs certain services and amenities, so -when looking for lodging- make sure you opt for a hotel that has all the points we have reviewed.

Additionally, we invite you to enjoy the comforts of one of the best hotels in South America, we are located in:
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Iquique, Chile.
Las Condes, Santiago de Chile.
Antofagasta, Chile.
Temuco, Chile.
Concepción, Chile.
Puerto Montt, Chile.
Aeropuerto Santiago de Chile.